As our nation experiences the after-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of access to the outdoors – an outlet for communities to support our mental and physical health – is magnified. Unfortunately, those in less privileged communities find themselves in a double whammy of air pollution making the disease more severe, while lacking the green space that is so necessary to resilience, health, and well-being.

While Congress debates the details of future stimulus bills, Hispanic Access Foundation’s President and CEO Maite Arce released the following statement to encourage Congress to include the Great American Outdoors Act, a bipartisan Senate bill that would fully and permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and address the maintenance backlog in our public lands, as part of the package:

On May 6, the MANO Project hosted their second virtual Cafecito. A Cafecito is MANO’s way of bridging our intern community. This is an opportunity for MANO staff and interns to get to know each other and support one another through the COVID-19 pandemic. The Cafecitos are a direct response to the isolation we are experiencing as a global community. It is our intention to create a space where folks can laugh, have fun, and build a network of Latinx leaders.

The biggest challenges that our community has faced during COVID-19 has been unemployment, lack of resources, education, homeless families/Title 1 Schooling. Another challenge has been seeing members with an essential job still experience low income because of their hours being cut. As a Pastor, my biggest challenges have been to make sure that the faith of our church members remains high and to keep the church united as one during this difficult time. Also not being able to do a home visit when needed has been the hardest.

This year, the Conservation team at HAF is focusing a portion of our work on ocean education, conversation, and advocacy. To support these efforts, the Ocean Alumni Advisory Council was created. Drawing from our network of MANO Project alumni, we pulled together a cohort of five alumni from across the country with backgrounds in ocean science and conservation to advise our Ocean work for the year. The Council has advised us on oceans research, policy, and community engagement around oceans.

When all of humanity is facing a pandemic, why should we care about conservation?

Because we need nature and the benefits it provides now more than ever. COVID-19 has both revealed and exacerbated deep inequities in access to green space. Those of us who are fortunate enough to be at home, away from the front lines, appreciate more than ever the mental and physical health boost provided by walks and nature views. And those in less privileged communities find themselves in a double whammy of air pollution making the disease more severe, while lacking the green space that is so necessary to resilience, health, and well-being.

The Latino Heritage Internship Program (LHIP), created by the National Park Service (NPS) and administered in partnership between the Hispanic Access Foundation and Environment for the Americas, is designed to provide internship opportunities to young adults in diverse professional fields in the National Park Service. The program helps raise awareness of our national parks and historic sites, their accessibility and the need for the Latino community’s involvement in their preservation.

As the news about the coronavirus emerged, I was working from my home office as usual since I founded Hispanic Access Foundation ten years ago. I live on five acres in rural northern Virginia with my husband Ted, and my parents Elena and Jose, two dogs – both named Buddy, and a cat named Tula. Everyone at my house is older than me – even Tula. I am 52.

One of the most common ice breakers I have come across is, “please describe yourself in three words.”

At the start of this fellowship, I am not sure I would have the same answer as I do right now, but I would say, without hesitation, chaotic, adaptive, and supportive.

As a recent college graduate and an emerging professional, a health pandemic has made it really hard to be a working professional.

In recent weeks, I have constantly asked myself: what does being productive look like during a global pandemic? For me, concentrating on my work varies from the week to week, some days are harder than others but – I am so grateful for the flexible and understanding team that I get to work with during this fellowship.

Hispanic Access Foundation is working with our community leaders and partners to provide support and trusted resources for those who are most severely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Stay connected with HAF and visit this page often for up-to-date information and helpful resources for everyone in the community. This page serves as a central online hub where you can find financial, health and nutrition assistance, as well as ways to stay connected and Coronavirus Resiliency Stories.

Acceso Hispano (HAF) está trabajando con nuestros socios y líderes de la comunidad para proveer apoyo y recursos de confianza para las personas que son más afectadas por el pandémico del coronavirus. Mantente conectado con HAF y visita está página con frecuencia para la información al día y recursos útiles para todos en la comunidad. Está página sirve como un hub en línea central donde puede obtener asistencia financiero, sanitario, y alimentario, además de maneras a mantenerse conectado y historias de la capacidad de recuperación durante el Coronavirus.

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